Treating cancer in patients with learning disabilities can be challenging; Robert Huddart and colleagues discuss the management of testicular cancer in those with Down syndrome, concluding that a high cure rate can be achieved with appropriate therapy.

Specific highly expressed microRNAs in lymph nodes identify neck metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), suggesting these microRNAs could be used as prognostic biomarkers to manage HNSCC patients in the clinical setting.

Healthier lifestyle behavior is associated with better survival in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, emphasizing the benefit of following the existing diet and exercise recommendations for cancer prevention.

Victor Moreno and Rebeca Sanz-Pamplona comment on research demonstrating a link between gene pathway de-regulation and colon cancer prognosis, emphasizing that following validation, the findings will shed light on the mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

In an analysis of genes that are differentially expressed in colon cancer, having more de-regulated pathways is associated with improved survival, providing insights into the links between differential gene expression and colon cancer prognosis.

Evidence from randomized trials suggests that taking selective estrogen receptor modulators could reduce breast cancer risk; Victor Vogel comments on the latest results, recommending that the risks and benefits should be considered for each individual.

Fei Chen and colleagues discuss the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer progression, highlighting ways in which the TME can be targeted to improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce resistance in a personalized approach to cancer therapy.

Barbara Burtness and Mehmet Altan comment on research showing an increased risk of severe infection in cancer patients on EGFR-directed antibody therapy, highlighting that dose modification strategies could be developed to reduce infection risk.

Individuals with non-O blood groups have an increased rate of all-cause mortality and incident gastric cancer, possibly through the effects on blood biochemistry, supporting the clinical importance of blood group determination in assessing health risks.

Recent findings suggest nearly 6% of total deaths and 9% of cardiovascular deaths could be due to having non-O blood groups; Massimo Franchini and Giuseppe Lippi discuss possible mechanisms of these associations and the clinical implications.

Pao-Hwa Lin and colleagues review recent evidence for the effect of diet on prostate cancer incidence and progression, concluding that while some findings are inconsistent, consuming a healthy diet is a promising approach for prostate cancer prevention.

A panel of DNA methylation markers distinguishes kidney tumors from noncancerous tissue in patients with renal cell carcinoma, suggesting that epigenetic biomarkers could be used to detect kidney cancer early and monitor therapy response.

Evidence from a meta-analysis suggests that treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies increases the chance of developing severe infection in cancer patients, highlighting that clinicians should be aware of infection risk.

In a randomised trial, patients with advanced cancer receiving the multidisciplinary Breathlessness Intervention Service (BIS) have lower levels of distress than those being given standard care, highlighting the promise of BIS for palliative care.

Evidence suggests that gene-environment interactions could modify breast cancer risk; Olivia Fletcher and Frank Dudbridge discuss progress in elucidating these interactions, highlighting that further validation in large cohort studies is required.

A large study finds that 16% of new colorectal cancer (CRC) cases are attributable to non-adherence to the combination of five modifiable healthy lifestyle factors, suggesting that prevention strategies should target multiple lifestyle factors.

Whole exome and whole genome sequencing has revealed specific mutations for various cancers, and so Eleftherios Diamandis suggests that the combination of genomics and proteomics may help to identify and develop clinically useful biomarkers.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides a large amount of information about tumor genetics; in this forum article, breast cancer specialists debate whether NGS can guide clinical decision making, or whether it is not yet ready for routine use.

In this Q&A podcast, Sunil Verma answers our questions about the development of HER2 as a therapeutic target in breast cancer, describes new agents in clinical development and outlines his visions for a chemotherapy-free future.

Ovarian cancer patients have an increased risk of developing ischemic stroke compared with healthy controls, suggesting that stroke surveillance and prevention strategies should be considered in these patients.

Nemanja Damjanov and colleagues review the effects of TNF-inhibitors on risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer in arthritis patients, and conclude current evidence indicates these are safe, but argue that further studies are needed to determine safety of long-term use of these biologic agents.